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Kiawah Island Marathon
Race Details:
- Location: Kiawah Island, SC, USA
- Race Date: 12/12/2026
- Race Distances: Full Marathon, Half Marathon
What This Race Counts Toward:
Boston: Yes
World Marathon Majors: Yes
Kiawah Island Marathon Description
The Kiawah Island Marathon is an ultra-flat, fast course held each December on South Carolina’s scenic barrier island. The loop route winds past maritime forest, marsh views, and the Atlantic coastline within the Kiawah Island Golf Resort community, with well-maintained paved roads throughout. Minimal elevation change makes it one of the flattest marathons in the country and a favorite among runners chasing a Boston Qualifying time. A half marathon runs alongside on the same weekend, drawing runners from across the region for a scenic, low-key coastal getaway race.
Always check the official race website for the most accurate and up-to-date race information and logistics.
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Kiawah Island Marathon Additional Details:
Kiawah Island’s marathon trades big-city energy for barrier-island quiet, and much of its charm comes from what runners notice along the way rather than what greets them at the finish. Aid stations appear roughly every two miles, stocked not just with water and Gatorade but with oranges, pretzels, and doughnut holes to keep energy up on the flat, fast layout. Runners sharp-eyed enough to look past their pace often spot herons, egrets, and other coastal wildlife working the marsh edges alongside the course. At the finish, every marathoner and half marathoner receives a commemorative medal to mark a genuinely low-key, scenic morning on one of the East Coast’s most tranquil race courses.
Course Information
Profile: Very Flat
Type: Loop
Surface: Road/Pavement
Pace Groups: Yes
Time Limit: 6.5 hours (full and half)
# of Finishers
Half Marathon: 3,500
Marathon: 1,500
Elevation Details
Elevation Gain: 129 ft (39 m)
Elevation Loss: 129 ft (39 m)
Average Temperature
- Low: 48°F
- High: 60°F
Train Smarter for Race Day
A great race starts long before the starting line. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or hunting a new PR, a structured training plan takes the guesswork out of race prep — building your fitness, your confidence, and your mileage at the right pace for you.
Explore plans for every distance and experience level, from your first 5K to your next ultra.
Things to Do in Kiawah Island, SC, USA
Make the most of race weekend — here’s how to fill the time before and after you cross the finish line.
Landmark
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island
See The Ocean Course, an acclaimed oceanfront golf course that has hosted the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup — a relaxed, low-impact way to take in the scenery after race day.
Zoos, Aquariums & Gardens
Heron Park Nature Center
Learn about the island’s ecosystem at Heron Park Nature Center, the heart of Kiawah’s nature conservation programs — an easy, low-impact stop for recovering legs after race day.
Outdoors & Trails
Kiawah Island Bike Path
Bike the paved path winding through Kiawah Island’s maritime forests, where deer, alligators, and nesting sea turtles are often spotted — an easy option for tapering or recovering legs.
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Kiawah Beachwalker Park
Relax at Kiawah Beachwalker Park, the island’s only public beach access, with pristine views of the Atlantic and Kiawah River — a relaxed, flat way to spend a rest day.
Hotels & Lodging Near the Kiawah Island Marathon
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A pancake-flat course made for chasing a PR — and a Boston Qualifier.
Boston Qualifier: Yes